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WhatsApp Android free alternatives

WhatsApp is a very reliable push messaging app, which is not free. What differentiates WhatsApp from legacy instant messaging (like MSN/WLM, Yahoo! or Gtalk) is its 'always on' push connectivity feature.

Since WhatsApp is a paid app, some people can't or don't want to pay for it. Fear not! Here are some free alternatives for Android users.

There are a few more options out there, but I mentioned these because I've personally used them. I can strongly recommend IM+ and buying IM+ Pro. Since it offers the most value and turns on push for legacy IM services as well.

The tricky part will be convincing your friends to use any of the free alternatives.

Edit Saturday, 9th April 2011: Project appears to be abandoned. Maybe Nokia can allocate some resources and get this done? Don't think that'll happen, considering their new allegiance to Windows Phone 7.

Update : If the app included OpenVPN/SSL support this price and app would be perfect. However that might not happen because OpenVPN is Open Source and SymVPN is not.

Edit Saturday, 9th April 2011: I do have to give these guys credit for supporting the Symbian platform. Even if they slightly raise their prices it would be worth it, provided code quality and support is increased along with it.

I had read reports about people having issues with LG and Sony mobile phones, but I wasn't prepared for the extent of issues that would appear when I decided to try out Sony (Xperia Z3 Dual and Z3 Compact) and LG (G4 Dual SIM, V10 Dual SIM) mobile devices.

LG G4 Dual SIM - UAE Model
This story is widely known, my wife's LG G4 went in to a boot loop, one month before the warranty was about to end. LG authorized service center in Sharjah swapped the motherboard in less than ten minutes and we were on our way. However my friend who also went through the same issues, says that his LG G4 has started having issues of slow downs again. Time will tell if these phones last.

LG V10 Dual SIM - Singapore Model - Battery Issues
From the start LG V10 Dual SIM - Singapore Edition, had terrible battery life, I would hold Qualcomm Snapdragon accountable for that poor SoC implementation and I would hold LG accountable for not compensating for its poor battery life with a bigger battery.